Shadowed by two of my cats, I scoured all the sacred places in my home. I opened the dresser drawers, now yawning and empty as the mouths of baby robins abandoned in their nest. I pressed my open palm against the blank closet shelf and drew back in shock from the chill. I unzipped the clothing bag and felt the feathery ruffles of the wedding dress as one of the cats flanked my legs. I pulled down the red jacket and posed for a moment as if dancing. Towels, kitchen cupboards, the leather chair I have never liked, and the last book she ever held in our den—the sweet scent of my wife has now faded entirely from all of these things.
--Mitchell Hegman
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